Scheduled to premiere Sunday, April 11th, the HBO series Treme revolves around New Orleans citizens trying to reconstruct their lives in the months following Hurricane Katrina. The writers, David Simon and Eric Overmyer, worked together on the hit show The Wire, which painted a bleak picture of drugs and politics in Baltimore.
Treme, which is named after a working class neighborhood in New Orleans, uses unique aspects of New Orleans culture as its focal points. The show's characters consist of Mardi Gras Indians, jazz musicians, and ordinary citizens.
Two of the leading roles are filled by actors who starred in The Wire. Clarke Peters, who played Baltimore Detective Lester Freamon, plays Albert Lambreaux, a Mardi Gras Indian Chief, and Wendell Pierce (pictured), who played Detective Bunk Moreland, plays a trombonist named Antoine Batiste. Pierce is in fact a native of New Orleans, and his family's house was destroyed by Katrina.
Treme will even feature real jazz musicians, including trumpeter Kermit Ruffins, pianist Dr. John, Trombone Shorty Andrews, and the Rebirth Brass Band.
Image © Skip Bolen / HBO
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